Jennie (Grando) Luisi

Jennie (Grando) Luisi, 92, of Brackenridge, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Saxony Health Center, Saxonburg, after suffering from Alzheimer's for several years. She was born the 7th of 11 children of Italian immigrants, Fabio and Maria Carmen Grando. Jennie was a life long resident of Brackenridge. After graduating as Bolivar's 1942 high school valedictorian, She went to Washington DC where she worked at the newly opened Pentagon. Her efficiency and skills made her highly employable when she returned to the area. She worked as secretary at the Alcoa WearEver, for John FR Clark, tax accountant, and retired from the District Magistrate's office. She was very active at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Parish Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights and also served as the Treasurer and President of the Catholic Daughter of America. Jennie loved cooking and knew how to make a holiday dinner grand for her family. she liked to read her daily newspaper, watch the evening news, and was always up on current events. She will be greatly missed by her children, Dr. Pamela Hopkins (Dr. Paul Stepanovich), of The Villages, Fl., Charles (Mona) Luisi, of Russellton, Dr. Cynthia (Dr. Neal) DeLuca, of Cheswick, Barbara (Craig) Barch, of Natrona Heights and Jamie (Jim) Greer, of Denver, CO.; 14 grandchildren, Megan Park (Joe Belluso), Shannon Park (Jeff Stettner), Vanessa Park, Kristopher (Caroline) Luisi, Toni (Ryan) Urik, Marc (Kayla) Luisi, Chase Luisi, Dr. Steven (Lisa) DeLuca, Paul DeLuca, Christina (Corey) Whisler, Casey Krutz, Austin Greer, Morgan Greer and Steven Greer; 19 great grandchildren; and by her beloved sister Yolanda DiFonzo, who will be 103 on February 26, 2017. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Anthony A. 'Tipper' Luisi on July 28, 1974; sisters, Mary DiFonzo, Lena Kovitch, Louise Lucchetti, Alice Bishop and Edie Thompson; and by her brothers, Dom, Albert, Art and Frank Grando. Jennie's family would like to give a special thank you to the staff's at Rosebrook Assisted Living, Saxony Health Center and the Good Samaritan Hospice for their loving care and support.
Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2-4, 6-8 PM in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a blessing service will be held on Thursday at 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 AM in Most Blessed Sacrament Church with her pastor the Rev. John B. Lendvai as celebrant. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jennie may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 322 8th Avenue 7th Floor, New York, NY. 10001. To send an on line condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com. A Parish Vigil service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 1:45 PM.